Life — July 10, 1913 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This single-panel cartoon depicts a deathbed scene. A dying person lies in an ornate bed beneath a canopy while well-dressed visitors gather around. The caption reads: "The idea of dying just as we have got C.K.C & S.W. on the Toroogan! I won't do it! We'll postpone the demise, Doc, and you can wire Emily not to come on." The satire mocks the priorities of the wealthy and privileged: the dying person refuses to actually die because they've recently acquired certain possessions or accomplishments (likely abbreviated references to luxury items or social achievements—"C.K.C & S.W." and "Toroogan" are unclear without additional context). The joke highlights materialistic preoccupation and vanity even in mortality's face, suggesting the absurdity of postponing death for earthly possessions.